Just leave me aloooone!

[BonaDrag]

Sorry, need a rant. Relatives, friends of relatives, Inlaws ALL feel the need to exclaim 'you're still breastfeeding?!?' Accompanied by a wide eyed, slack jawed expression. DD is 18m and I am not stopping.

SIL told me I was mad and MIL thinks it's 'hilarious'. I'm not being over sensitive but every time I see them they ask me if I'm still breastfeeding. And then look horrified when I say yes. I dread the fucking question.

Why can't they leave us be?

I do sympathise. My relatives were not as rude as that but I did get a lot of sideways looks about it. DD was 3.5 when stopped.

Tell them they're being rude.

BonaDrag's MIL/SIL : "Hi, Bona....are you still breastfeeding?"

BonaDrag: "Are you still asking intrusive questions? "

Job done :)

Thanks :o

I might ask them if they have a penis beaker.

That would certainly change the subject....

My answer to this always was
"YES. Isn't it BRILLIANT! I am soooo proud of myself for getting this far"

It never fails to shut them up ime

Alternatively try 'Yes. The NICE guidelines recommend it until children are 2 years old. DH is thrilled I'm following the best health advice for our child, I'm sure you are too you nosy, interfering old bat'

Alternatively ask them why they're so obsessed about it and infer they have some deep-seated inferiority relating to their own childhood ;)

I used to do similar Humphrey.......YES! isn't it great?!

Sometimes followed up by did you know global world average for weaning is 4 years old......

I get asked 'doesn't she bite you?' a lot.

I just reply that I've got tough nipples...

Or after politely answering, you might say, "so enough about my breasts, as it's such an open topic, let's talk about yours"

lol @ coffee!

Just reply "God, you're absolutely obsessed with breastfeeding!"

:o

No one ever asked me with DD, I made it quite clear from the start that I was planning to nurse until DD self weaned, which might be 2 or might even be 7. (She weaned at 26/27 months) also that the WHO guidelines were to breastfeed for a minimum of two years and then beyond for as long as the mother and child wished.

I also used to/do launch into a huge 'rant' about the benefits of BF if anyone asks about it in general, so most people don't.

Its none of their business, so don't feel the need to offer them an explanation, but perhaps if you make your intentions clear they will stop asking? If not, maybe give a huge sigh next time they ask and say 'we've been through this...'

DS2 is 19m and still breastfeeding. The other day my mum said 'haven't you managed to wean him yet'- as if I'd failed somehow. Couldn't bring myself to argue with her. My advice is to rise above it. You know the facts, you are doing the right thing.

No one asks me now. DD doesn't ask me in front of people and in their minds (although they were supportive once) surely no one could possibly be feeding a 5 year . There's at least a couple on MN that I know have fed longer.